NCP suspends MLA booked for allegedly raping girl

Mumbai: NCP MLA from Pachora Dilip Wagh, who has been booked for allegedly raping a girl, was today suspended from the party, which asked the Maharashtra government to conduct an “in-depth” inquiry into the incident.

Wagh, the MLA from Pachora in Jalgaon district, and his personal assistant Mahesh Mali were booked by police yesterday for allegedly raping the 20-year-old girl.

“Maharashtra NCP President Madhukar Pichad suspended the legislator and has asked the government to conduct an in-depth inquiry into the incident,” party spokesperson Madan Bafna said.

The police action came after the victim filed a complaint at Sarkarwada police station in Nashik on Thursday, police said. But, no arrests have been made so far.

According to the complaint, Wagh, along with Mali asked the Aurangabad-based girl to come to Nashik on Thursday, promising her a job, and allegedly raped her at a guest house there, they said.

Meanwhile, Wagh claimed that the allegations were part of a political conspiracy hatched by his rivals against him. Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil had yesterday said a case has been registered against the MLA and police are investigating the matter.

“All are equal before the law and police would conduct the probe in an impartial manner,” the NCP leader said.